gombeen
[gom-been]
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Origin of gombeen
1860–65; < Irish gaimbín interest, especially exorbitant interest, literally, bit, small piece, diminutive of gamba lump, hunk
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gombeen
Historical Examples
There are no “Gombeen men” here, he says, and no usurious shopkeepers.
Ireland Under Coercion (2nd ed.) (2 of 2) (1888)William Henry Hurlbert
They vary in wealth and position from the humblest 'gombeen man' to the millionaire banker.
Rambles and Recollections of an Indian OfficialWilliam Sleeman
The "Gombeen" man is alike trader, publican, and money-lender, and he is the backbone of official Nationalist influence.
Against Home Rule (1912)Various
Gombeen man; a usurer who lends money to small farmers and others of like means, at ruinous interest.
English As We Speak It in IrelandP. W. Joyce
At Burtonport we found the “Gombeen man,” of Dungloe, represented by a very large “store.”
Ireland Under Coercion (2nd ed.) (1 of 2) (1888)William Henry Hurlbert